Automatic centering-scale for type-writers.



Wbt/naamw H. BATES & C. E. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC CENTERING sc ALE Fon TYPE WRIATRS. .l I APPLICATION FILI-EI] NOV. IB, I9II'. RENEWED IUNE 24.1912.

I ,l4393. Patented'July 13,1915.

itllltilldlli HARRY BATES, OF WEST COPAKE, AND CHARLES E. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWRXTER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF DELA'WARE.

AUTOMATIC CENTERING-SCALE FOR TYPE-UBITERS.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

Patented July t3, 1915.

Application led November 18, 1911, Serial No. 661,130. Renewed June 24, 1912. Serial No. 705,622.

To all whom it may conc-era Beit known that we, HARRY Barns, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Vest Copake, in the county ot' (olum-bia and State of New York, and CliAnLlis E. SMITH, a Canadian and British subJect, residing at ,New York, in the county of New York and 'of construction, easy to manipulate, and

positive in its operation.

The indicator' may be used to locate any point with respect to the side margins, but for the purpose of illustrating the invention, the center point midway between the side margins is shown, as it is most frequently used. Hence the device may be termed an automatic self-centering mechanism or scale. 4

The usual way ot determining the center of the line of typewriting is t0 make a 'mathematical calculation with the aid of .1. B y this invention,the distance between the margin stops and thus between margins ot the typewritten matter maybe halved automatically, no matter what the respective positions of thev margin Ystops may be. To accomplish this, a position indicator, `shown in the form of a movable pointer, is joined 'to the margin stops by a differential conne@ l tion which will maintain the pointer always midway between the stops. rlhe differential connection shown in this instance consists in a pair of racks secured individually to the pair otl margin stops, and meshing with a loosepinion carried by the pointer.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. i

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in front elevation oi'so much ot a typewriter, equipped with our improve ments, as is necessary to a proper understanding ot the invention at issue. Fig. 2 is a vertical, transverse section, on the line 2 2, Fig. l. VFi Sis a vertical transverse section on the line EHS, Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. t is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the margin-stop liar, showing, also, the margin-stop pin.

Referring, now, in detail to the drawings, l indicates a margin-stop bar, carrying movable margin-stops 2, 2. rl`he marginstops may be variously mounted upon said bar; but the preferred manner is illustrated in the drawing in which the stops have each a collar or hub portion jfl, through which said rod l projects. Fulcrumed at l on each of said stops is a bell-crank lever 5, tothe otherwise free end oi' the shorter arm G whereof is pivotcd the lower end ot a vertical pin 7, guided in its movements in eyes 8, 8, carried by the body of the stop. rlhe upper end ot' the pin 7 projects into a longitudinal groove S) disposed on the under surface of the bar l; said upper end of the pin 7 being serrated, as at l0, to engage a longitudinal rack ll formed by the horizontal top4 face or wall ot said groove i). letween said eyes H, 8 of each stop is a coiled spring l2 encircling the pin 7, said spring bearing at its lower end on the lower eye 8 and having its upper end bearing against or secured to a collar 13 encircling said pin 7 and limited in its upward movement by a pin ll carried by pin 7. lVhen thelever 5 is rocked inward, the pin 7 is drawn downward, rele-asing the serrated end l() from engagement with the rack 11 and compressing theispning 12, and as soon as said lever is released, the spring lorces the pin 7 back into engagement with the rack 11.

All ot the parts so Jfai,- described are old and well known in the art, and form no part ot our invention, which will now be described.

lrobably the simplest form otl our invention is as follows: Each margin stop 2 carries a horizontally-disposed rack bar 15, which may be integral therewith, but which is preferably removably secured thereto so as to be rigid. r1`he racks 15, 15 mesh with a pinion 1G rotatably mounted, as, on f .an axleescrew 1S, in a housing or slide.v cai'- rying a pointer 18,'coperating witlta typef writer scale 1f), which is ot' the usual construction, or witha pointer "2O on' the typewriter carriage. The slide 1T carries a collai' or hub portion 21, through which the bar 1 projects, and on which bar the slide reci p roca tes.

In the operation ot the device, it will`be noted that the pinion 1G is free for trans lation in either direction g' and that the pinion 1G, the slide 1T, and the pointer 1S *al* ried thereby must, by reason ot' the particullar construction described, always occupy a position centrally between the stops, irrespective ot' the relative movement thereof; the pointer 18 indicating on the scale 19 the center oi the line of writing. Ot' course, as is obvious, in assembling` the parts of our invention initially, the pinion 16 is disposed exactly in the center ot' the scale 1S) and the margin stops at the ends of the scale or at equal distances trom the center thereof; so

. that. in all future manipulation ol! the stops by the operator, the pointer 1S will always automati 'ally indicate on the sale 17S) the center ot the line ot' writing' for which the stops may be set by the operator. Y

1n further explanation ol' the operation, it may be said that. in assemblincr the parts, the pinion l() is disposed centrally between the two stops 2, 2 (no matter at what points said stops may be in respect to the scale 19). Now, subsequent movement by the operator of either stop will cause the pinion, and thus the pointer-carrying member or slide 17 operatively associated therewith, to travel halt` as fast as (i. c., half the distance traversed by) said stop, as moved by the operator,

thus indicating the exact center between the stops, as so adjusted. This, then, is the theory of operation; that the pinion 1G and the pointer-carrying member or slide 1T operativelyassociated therewith travel haltl as fast as either one ot| the stops 2, 2, c., travel half the distance of either one ot' said stops, when moved for purposes of adjustment of the margins.

It will be seen that the distance through which the indicator or pointer 18 is moved always bearsal liXed ratio to, or more specically, is always half the algebraic sum of the distances the stops are advanced or moved in either direction. For example, it the right-hand stop is moved to the left, or in a positive direction, as indicated by the scale from 0 to 20, and the left-hand stop is moved in the reverse or negative direction from S0 to 70on the scale, the algebraic sum ot' these movements will be ten scale divisions in a positive direction or to the lett, and the movement otl the pointer one-halt1 this, or live scaledivisions to the left.

Instead ol'cperating with the scale 1l), or in addition, rather, to cooperating with the scale 1f), the movement pointer 1S may cooperate with the pointer 20 on the typewriter cai'riage; thus, if the ope 'ator wants to center a word, it is only necessary to shit't the carriage until its pointed 2() is opposite the pointer 18, then baclespace haltl the length otl the word, andy write.

As is well known, some typewriting,- machines mount tlielscale 1S) on the typewriter and also, while we have not shown' the margin stops mounted on the carriage, they may be so mounted, if desired,-such constructions being oldland well-known in the art.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 'Patent is:

1Y 1n a typewriter, movable margin-stops, and means for automatically indicating the center of aline of writing, irrespective of relative adjustment of said margin-stops, said means including: al slide carrying a pointer, andmeehanism intermediate of and operatively associated withsaid slide. and said margin-stops, for moving' said slide in: unison with the movement of said marginstops.

2. In a typewriter, movable margin-stops, and means for automatically indicating the center of aline of writing, irrespective ot relative adjustment ot said margin-stops,

`said means including: a slide carrying a pointer, an i ndependently-movable member carried by said slide, and connections between said membe and ysaid margin-stops for impartinclr simultaneous movement lto `said member and said slide in unison with pointer, a rotatable member carried by said slide, and connections between said member andV said margin-stops for simultaneously j rotating said member and reciprocating said slide in unison with the movement of said margin-stops.

4. In a typewriter, movable margin-stops, and means for automatically indicating the center of a line of writing, irrespective of rela-tive adjustment ofsaid margin-stops',4

means including: a slide carrying a pointer K reciproeable on said bar, and mechanism intermediate of and operatively associated with said slide and said margin-stops for reciprocating said slide in unison with -the movement of said stops.

G.In a typewriter, a margin-stop bar, movable margin-stops carried thereby, and

means for automatically indicating the center ot a line of writing` irrespective of relative adjustment of said margin-stops, said means including: a slide carrying a pointer reciprocable on said bar, an independentlymovable member carried bysaid slide, and connections between said member and said margin-stops t'or imparting simultaneous movement to said member and said slide in unison with the movement ot' said marginstops. l

7. In a typewriter, movable.margin-stops, and means tor automatically indicating the center of a line of writing,irrespective of relative adjustment ot' said margin-stops, said means including: a reciprocable slide, and mechanism intermediate of and operatively associated with said slide and said margin-stops, for moving said slide in unison with the movement oi said margin-stops.

8.' In a typewriter, a. margin-stop bar, movable margin-stops carried thereby, and

means for automatically indicating the een? ter ot" a liiie ot' writing, irrespective ot' rela'- tive adjustment ot' said margin-stops, said means including: a slide reciprocable on said bar, and mechanism intermediate ot and operatively associated with said slide and said margin-stops, for reciprocating said slide in unison with the movement of said stops. l

9. In a typewriter, amargin-stop movable margin-stops carried thereby, means for automatically indicating the bar, and

cen-

ter of a line ot' writing, irrespective of ielative adjustment ot' said margin-stops, said means including: a slide reciprocable on said bar, a rotatable member'carried by said slide, and connections between said member and said margin-stops for siinultaneouslyrd,

tating said member and reciprocating said slide in unison with the movement of said margin-stops.

'10. In a typewriter, movable margin-stops, and means for automatieallly indicating the center of a line of writing, irrespective of relative adjustment of said margin-stops, said means including a normally-stationary, movable pointer-carrying`member, a second normally-stationary, movable member operatively associated with said pointer-carrying member so as to move simultaneously therewith, and connections between said marginstops and said second movable member, said connections and saidsecond movable member being constructed and arranged to cause the latter to travel half as fast as either one of said stops, when moved.

l1. In a typewriter, the combination with a pair of marginal stops, of a location-indicating means, and diii'erential connections between saidmarginal stops and said indicating means, causing said indicating means to always automatically assume a predetermined relation with respect to said stops irrespective of the positions of said stops with respect to each other.

12. In a typewriter, the combination with a pair of marginal stops, of a location-indicating means, and di'erential connections between said marginal stops and said indicating means, causing said indicating means to halve the distance between said stops.

13. In a typewriter, the combination of means for determining the length of a typewritten line, said means being adjustable to vary the-length of the line, and automatic mechanism operated by said means for indicating a predetermined point having a predetermined relation with respect to the ends of the line.

14. In a typewriter, the combination with margin-regulating devices, of a location in- ;dicating means, and driving connections between vsaid devices, and said 4indicating means enabling a movement of one of said devices to be transmitted to said indicating means but to a different degree.

l5. In a typewriter, the combination with margin-regulating devices for determining.

the margins of writing, of an indicating means operatively connected to said devices for automatically assuming a position inid-l way between the margins of writing.

17. The combination of a typewriter scale,

pointers adjustable along the scale, an intermediate pointer, and connections from said intermediate pointer to the first-named pointers for maintaining the intermediate pointer midway between the first-named pointers.

18. The combination of a typewriter scale, pointers adjustable along the scale, an indicator intermediate said pointers, and speed-reduction gearing between the indicato' and each pointer'ifor adjusting the indicator along the scale when either of said pointers is adjusted.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination with left-hand and right-hand margin-stops, of an indicator, and speed-reduction means connecting saidv indicator to Said margin-stops respectively, for moving the indicator a fractional part of the distance through which a stop is adjusted, and in the same direction.

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a scale, of pointers adjustable along the scale, an intermediate pointer, and rack and pinion driving connections between the intermediate pointer and the firstnamed pointers.

2l. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a typewriter scale, of pointers adjustable therealong, an intermediate pointer, and means forming driving connections between the intermediate pointer and the outer pointers whereby, when both outer pointers are either simultaneously 01 successively adjusted, or when either of said outer pointers alone is adjusted, the intermediate pointer is proportionately adjusted to maintain an equal ratio of the distances separating the intermediate pointer from the outer pointers.

In a typewriting machine, the combination with a scale, of margin-stops, pointers carried thereby, an intermediate pointer, and gearing between the intermediate pointer and the pointers on Ithe marginstops for automatically adjusting lthe intermediate pointer when either margin-stop is adjusted. j

23. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a scale, of margin-stops adjustable therealong, a pointer intermediate said stops, and mechanism between each marginstop and said pointer operable when either margin-stop is'adj usted to move said pointer in the same direction halt the distance through which the stop is moved.

2l. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a margin-stop bar and a margin-stop adjustable along the bar, of an indicator slidable along said bar, a pinion carried by said indicator, and a rack connected to the margin-stop and in mesh with said pinion.

25. In a typewriting machine,

the combi-k nation with a margin-stopbar and marginstops adjustable along said bar, of an indicator slidably mounted on said bar .intermediate said stops, racks connected to said stops, and a pinion on said indicator in mesh withsaid racks.

26. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a margin-Stop bar, right-hand and left-hand stops slidably mounted on said bar, and a scale, of a slide on said bar intermediate said stops, said slide; having a pointer movable over the scale, racks connected to said stops and slidably supported on said slide, and a pinion on the slide in mesh with said racks.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination of two margin stops, an intermediate indicator, and connecting means whereby in the movement of a single stop, said indi-- cator changes its position relatively to both said stops to maintain a constant intermediary position.

2S. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a scale for a letter-feeding carriage, ot' two indexes each adjustable along said scale, and a third index connected to both of the first-.mentioned indexes to be adjusted simultaneously with the adjustment of either one otl said adjustable indexes, but at a different speed, while the other of said adjustable indexes remains stationary.

29. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a sca-le for a letter-feeding carriage, 'of two margin gages each adjustable along said scale, and an index connected to both of said margin gages to be adjusted simultaneously with the adjustment of either one of said margin gages but at a different speed, while the other of said margin gagesv remains stationary.

30. In a typewriter, the combination, with a scale, and a movable margin gage; of an index cooperative with said scale, but independent of said gage; anda connection to enable the movement of said gage to vary the. relative positions ot said index and said scale.

31. In a typewriter, the combination, with a scale, and a movable margingage; of an index cooperative with said scale, but independent ot' said gage; and means, including a positive connection between said gage and said index, to enable the movement of the gage to vary the relative positions of said index and said scale. y

32. .In a typewriter, the combination with a scale, and a movable margin gage; ot' an index cooperative with said scale, but independent of said gage; and a connection to enable the movement ot' said gage to effect a relative movement between said index and said scale, therebyl to enable the index to point out a predetermined location in a line of writing measured bythe scale, oneend,

of which line is determined by the position measured by the sea-le, one end of which line of said gage. is determined by the position of said gage. 33. In a typewriter, the combination with In teStimony whereof we have hereunto a scale, and a movable margin gage; ,of an set our hands in presence of two subscribing 5 index cooperative with said scale, but inde- Witnesses.

pendent of said gage; and a connection to HARRY BATES. enable the movement of said gage to efeet a CHARLES E. SMITH. relative movement between said index and Witnesses:

said scale, thereby to enable the index to SAM BURR,

10 point out the center of aline ofwriting RAMUND J. BUCKLEY. 

